Targeting Morphine-Responsive Neurons: Generation of a Knock-In Mouse Line Expressing Cre Recombinase from the Mu-Opioid Receptor Gene Locus.

The mu-opioid receptor (MOR) modulates nociceptive pathways and reward processing, and mediates the strong analgesic and addictive properties of both medicinal as well as abused opioid drugs. MOR function has been extensively studied, and tools to manipulate or visualize the receptor protein are available. However, circuit mechanisms underlying MOR-mediated effects are less known, because genetic access to MOR-expressing neurons is lacking.

Oxycodone-Mediated Activation of the Mu Opioid Receptor Reduces Whole Brain Functional Connectivity in Mice.

Oxycodone is a potent medicinal opioid analgesic to treat pain. It is also addictive and a main cause for the current opioid crisis. At present, the impact of oxycodone on coordinated brain network activities, and contribution of the mu opioid receptor (MOR) to these effects, is unknown.

Diarylheptanoid Hirsutenone Attenuates Osteoclastogenesis by Suppressing IFNγ and NF-κB Signaling in Th1 and Preosteoclastic Cells.

The aim of the present study was to examine the inhibitory roles and mechanisms of hirsutenone (HTN) in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. Gene levels were compared to assure the effects of HTN on osteoclastogenesis in mouse splenocytes/CD4 T cells, mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW264.7 (preosteoclast), MG63 (osteoblast), and RPMI1788 (B cell) cells.

The anti-aging properties of a human placental hydrolysate combined with dieckol isolated from Ecklonia cava.

Backgrounds: In the present study, we aimed to examine the anti-aging properties of human placental hydrolysate (HPE) and dieckol (DE) from Ecklonia cava against free radical scavenging, muscle hypertrophy-related follistatin mRNA expression, amelioration of cognition-related genes and proteins, inhibition of collagenase-regulating genes, and elastinase activity.

Methods: The anti-aging effects were examined in human fibroblast (CCD986sk), mouse myoblast (C2C12), and neuroblastoma (N2a) cell models, by employing various assays such as 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) scavenging, hydroxyl radical-mediated oxidation, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme activity, and immunocytochemistry observation.

Results: Our results show that HPE combined with DE (HPE:DE) strongly scavenged DPPH radicals and protected proteins against degradation by hydroxyl radical attack.

An Aβ42 uptake and degradation via Rg3 requires an activation of caveolin, clathrin and Aβ-degrading enzymes in microglia.

We demonstrated previously that ginsenoside Rg3 enhances the expression of macrophage scavenger receptor class A (SRA) and amyloid β peptide 1-42 (Aβ42) uptake in BV2 cells. In this study, we investigated the biochemical and mechanistic roles of Rg3 in human microglia and animal models to identify the determinants that participate in restoring memory and learning in brains disrupted by the Aβ42 peptide. SRA was expressed highly in Rg3-treated rats, and learning and memory functions were maintained at a normal level after the infusion of Aβ42.